Clubs, Registries & Associations

(Based on breed recognition. See store for details on this
particular puppy.)

Group

Toy

Heritage

The Pug originated in Asia before 400 BC, known first in Tibetan monasteries. The breed then appeared in Japan, then traveling to Eurpoe after the British seized the Chinese Imperial Palace and returning to England with several Pugs and Pekingese. Prince William II had several Pugs when he was the King of England. Today’s Pugs are popular as companion dogs and excel as watchdogs.

Description

Small, 10-14” at the shoulders, weighing anywhere from 12-20 pounds. The Pug has a solid and stocky body with a short and smooth coat that comes in colors of fawn, apricot, black, and silver. They have a curly-q tail and there are contests all over the country for the “curliest Pug tail” run by Pug enthusiasts.

Health Awareness

The Pug has a life expectancy of 12- 15 years and is prone to breathing issues due to brachycephalic muzzle, allergies, skin issues, eye problems and injury, epilepsy, patellar luxation and overeating. Overeating causes dangerous obesity issues.

Personality

They look like they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, but Pugs are fun, clownish, carefree, playful, busy, full of life and loving. They are highly intelligent, determined, yet emotionally sensitive. Use only humane motivational training with your Pug or you risk your Pug not responding to you. Your Pug will need you to be a confident, calm and humane leader giving consistent and achievable boundaries. Without your consistent and committed leadership, your Pug will likely develop stress issues and can become protective and guarding over food, toys, furniture, their areas and even you.

Exercise/Energy Level

Even though they are calm indoors, this is an active breed and will need daily exercise on a walk or play in a safe area. Be sure you provide plenty of mental stimulation or this breed can be destructive when bored.

General Appearance

Symmetry and general appearance are decidedly square and cobby. A lean, leggy Pug and a dog with short legs and a long body are equally objectionable.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The Pug should be multum in parvo, and this condensation (if the word may be used) is shown by compactness of form, well knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle. Weight from 14 to 18 pounds (dog or bitch) desirable. Proportion square.

Head

The head is large, massive, round–not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. The eyes are dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds–the "rose" and the "button." Preference is given to the latter. The wrinkles are large and deep. The muzzle is short, blunt, square, but not upfaced. Bite-A Pug's bite should be very slightly undershot.

Neck, Topline, Body

The neck is slightly arched. It is strong, thick, and with enough length to carry the head proudly. The short back is level from the withers to the high tail set. The body is short and cobby, wide in chest and well ribbed up. The tail is curled as tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is perfection.

Forequarters

The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The elbows should be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The pasterns are strong, neither steep nor down. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. Dewclaws are generally removed.

Hindquarters

The strong, powerful hindquarters have moderate bend of stifle and short hocks perpendicular to the ground. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. The hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs and buttocks are full and muscular. Feet as in front.

Coat

The coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.

Color

The colors are fawn or black. The fawn color should be decided so as to make the contrast complete between the color and the trace and mask. Markings: The markings are clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead, and the back trace should be as black as possible. The mask should be black. The more intense and well defined it is, the better. The trace is a black line extending from the occiput to the tail.

Gait

Viewed from the front, the forelegs should be carried well forward, showing no weakness in the pasterns, the paws landing squarely with the central toes straight ahead. The rear action should be strong and free through hocks and stifles, with no twisting or turning in or out at the joints. The hind legs should follow in line with the front. There is a slight natural convergence of the limbs both fore and aft. A slight roll of the hindquarters typifies the gait which should be free, self-assured, and jaunty.

Temperament

This is an even-tempered breed, exhibiting stability, playfulness, great charm, dignity, and an outgoing, loving disposition.

Disqualifications

Any color other than fawn or black.

Interesting To Know

A favorite of film and television, Pugs have appeared in Men In Black as Frank the Pug, Hotel For Dogs, The Adventures Of Milo And Otis, Pocahontas, and The West Wing.

Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Josephine, had a Pug named "Fortune". This little Pug delivered secret messages under his collar to Napoleon when Josephine was imprisoned.